Cinderella’s Dream has a ball in Jumeirah Fillies’ Classic

Progressive three-year-old Cinderella’s Dream maintained her unbeaten record with an effortless victory in the Jumeirah Fillies’ Classic at Meydan, UAE, on Friday, 2 February.

Twice successful in the UK last season, the daughter of Shamardal was held up towards the rear of the 10 runners. She still had six rivals in front of her passing the two-furlong pole but started to travel strongly into the race after being angled out by William Buick shortly after.

Cinderella’s Dream showed an impressive turn of foot, taking up the running inside the final furlong before coasting home under a hands and heels ride to score by an easy two and three-quarter lengths.

Beautiful Love closed well from last to take second in the closing strides, providing trainer Charlie Appleby with a 1-2 in the race won by Mawj 12 months ago.

William Buick said: “Cinderella’s Dream was there for me the whole way. She is still learning on the job, having only had two previous runs. Once I put her in between horses, it was about trying to follow the right ones, and it was a very nice performance.

“Mawj, who won this race last year, ended up winning the next round of this series and the 1,000 Guineas, so Cinderella’s Dream is in good company. I think she is going to progress and I would not like to rule anything out.”

Charlie Appleby said: “I stand to be corrected but I think Cinderella’s Dream was our first two-year-old runner last year when she ran at Lingfield.

“She is not a big, imposing filly and has character, but you cannot fault her – she has a big heart and a decent engine.

“It was a nice performance tonight. They went an even gallop and, watching her, you were always confident that she would hit the line at the right time.

“She will appreciate stepping up to a mile and will come back here on Super Saturday for the Jumeirah 1,000 Guineas.”